EastEnders fans think they’ve figured out how Ben Mitchell will leave the BBC soap after Max Bowden confirmed he was leaving the role he’s played for over four years
BBC EastEnders may have hinted at Ben Mitchell’s exit storyline, sparking fan theories of a dark twist. Max Bowden, who has portrayed Ben for over four years, is set to depart, but the details remain unknown, StarNews99 reports.
In a recent episode, viewers believe they’ve uncovered a significant plot twist. This follows Johnny Carter’s return to the Square and his attack on Dean Wicks, who had harmed his mother, Linda Carter.
Linda has been struggling and has returned to drinking, with Johnny blaming Dean for her troubles. Ben and his husband Callum Highway are keen to assist Johnny, and a comment from Ben has led fans to speculate about a dramatic departure.
Ben offered to help dispose of Dean, as he believed no one else would. This has led fans to theorise that Ben might end up in prison or on the run. One viewer commented: “Thinking Ben getting rid of Dean might be his exit story.”
Another added: “Ben and Callum offering to help Johnny get rid of Dean means this could be the start of Ben’s exit storyline,” while a third concurred: “This will definitely lead to Ben’s exit though.”
Max’s co-star Bobby Brazier spoke to Metro.co.uk about Max’s exit, saying: “I’m gonna miss him. I didn’t get to say goodbye to him, but he’s a very funny man.”
In December, an EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed to The Mirror that Max was leaving the show, stating: “Max will be leaving EastEnders next year. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Max is set to leave the show in Spring. Despite no current hints of his departure onscreen, fans will have to wait and see what leads to his sudden exit.
It’s reported that Max’s contract was not renewed, despite his popular portrayal of Phil Mitchell’s son. Over the past four years, Ben has been part of major storylines, including his battle with an eating disorder.
An insider told The Sun: “Max has played Ben for the last four years and bosses decided his time on the show was up. There has been a lot of noise around him for a bit too long and that can take away from the drama on the show. He went in for a meeting as his contract was up for renewal next year.”
They added: “No one knew how it was going to go and following discussions, it was decided that he would leave. Bosses have yet to plan his exit storyline but Ben is not a character that they would kill off as we’ve already seen in all the previous recasts.
